Simbiose launches NemaControl against nematodes in soybeans

Simbiose announced the launch of NemaControl, its first biological product registered in Brazil for the control of Lesion Nematodes (Pratylenchus brachyurus). This pathogen is one of the major threats to soybean crops, being responsible for losses of at least 10% of the crop, according to the data from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Company (Embrapa).

"We’ve isolated a microorganism, Bacillus, from the Brazilian soil, which has the natural power of controlling soil nematodes, mainly the Pratylenchus. Compared to the conventional products and chemical molecules, NemaControl has a superior effectiveness, with smaller dose and a 100% sustainability, to the molecules available in the market today, without posing any risk of intoxication for applicators,” Simbiose director, Marcelo de Godoy Oliveira, said.

According to the company, the Bacillus in NemaControl acts forming a protective biofilm around the root, and according to the colonization, antibiotics and toxins are released into the soil, which are produced by the bacteria.

"Nematode is a plant worm that lives in the soil and is guided via root exudate. It does not have any chemical sensors that can identify the exudate. Hence, the nematode identifies the root when it does not release any exudate. The NemaControl colonization will modify the chemical conformation around the root and consequently inhibit the nematode from identifying the plant’s root system,” research manager at Simbiose, Dr. Artur Soares, described.

Agronomy Doctor and Professor at the University of Passo Fundo Carolina Deuner explained that “this nematode causes a lot of damage, because it unchains the root lesions and impedes the roots from absorbing water and nutrients. Besides, the fact that we don’t have soybean cultivars with genetic resistance makes control of the plague difficult.”

Danie Martini Sanchotene, director of agronomic research institute Biomente, reported that the product demonstrated “a more efficient control than other products that were tested. We have verified that NemaControl, besides having an immediate control on the reduction of phytonematodes penetration, maintains its population below for a longer period.”

Farmer Henrique Perlin from the municipality of Cruz Alta (state of Rio Grande do Sul) observed an increase in productivity in his property of around 750 hectares: “I observed a higher productivity and reduction of reeds. The production dropped to 15 bags (of 60 kg) of soybeans per hectare due to nematodes. After I started using NemaControl, I standardized the yields, reaching 65 bags per hectare.”